Lineman&#39;s platform



11,511.5,8I3l H. B. BUSH LINEMANS PLATFORM Filed Aug. 16. 1920 2 SrmeLw-Shmam 1 Y\ IRI- 25a/.wahr l M54 @AML Patented Nov. l, i924.

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IIAZEL B. BUSH, F BEDFORD, O'HIO, ASSIGNOR T0 THE BUSH ELECTRIC COMPANY, OIE CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

LINEMANS PLATFORM.

Application led August 16, 1920.

To all whom t may concer/rt.'

Be it known that I, HAZEL B. BUsH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bedford, in the county of CuyahogaandState of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Linemens Platforms, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying dra-wings.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a portable platform or staging constructed of very effectual insulating material that `is especially adapted for use in electrical work generally, and yet more particularly for use in high voltage electrical work, the same being' designed for attachment to poles, towers, and the like, and constituting such an eiiicient insulating agent that a workman, supported by it and thus protected from grounding elements or other phases of the circuit, may handle charged conductors or hot wires with bare hands without the slightest danger of burns or shocks and perform, with convenience and dexterity, work which in the past has necessitated either the killing of the line Vor the use of tools havingV long insulated handles so that the workman could operate from a safel distance. According to the former method, however, the work was restricted to such as could be done by the use of tools of the character referred to unless the currentl was shut off with the resultant inconvenience and loss of time, while by the use of my invention the workman may perform any and all operations on live wires and conductors which he could perform with his hands on uncharged electrical elements. It will be seen, therefore, that my invention introduces into the art a new method of operation.

Further objects are to provide an adjustable platform or staging of the character set forth that is adaptable, through its adjustments, to practically all conditions met in overhead work; that is thoroughly safe by reason of its sturdy and well braced 'construction and effectual attaching means, and its efficient insulating qualities; that is light and convenient of handling; and that is collapsible and capable of being folded into a comparatively small space.

These, and further objects which will becomev apparent as this description proceeds, are attained in the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying Serial No. 404,009.

drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the platform attached to a pole; Fig. 2 is a sectional plan showing` the platform secured to a pole as in Fig. 1, but with the staging arranged longitudinally of the main frame instead of transversely as in the former view; Fig. 3 is a sectional detail on the line 8`-3 of Fig. 2; and Fig. l shows means for securing the` lower ends of the props to the pole.

What I shall term the main frame is made up of side members 1 that may include, adjacent their inner ends, sections 2 of insulating material, and these sections terminate in clevises 8 by means of which the side members are hingedly connected to pins or bolts et that are carried by the adjacent ends of jaws 5 of the pole clamp. Each jaw 5 is made up of top` and bottom plates that are curved to conform to the average contour of poles and have their inner edges serrated for better holding' engagement with the pole. The top` and bottom plates of each jaw are held together by rivets or equivalent holding means 6 and are spaced apart by tubular spacers 7 through which the securing meansl extend. The corresponding ends of the opposed jaws are shown as connected by straps 8 including buckles 9 sof that the clamp may be adjusted to the variable diameter of poles.

The outer ends of the side members 1 are hingedly connected through fittings 10 and the hinge pintle 11 has an eye at its lower end to which is pivotally connected the upper end of the main frame prop 12.

15 is the staging or platform that is adapted to be clamped tol the side members of the main frame, either transversely or longitudinally thereof and adjusted in or out therealong as requirements dictate, by U-bolts 16; and the staging is equipped with a rail 17 that is spaced a suitable distance above the floor thereof by posts 18. On one of the longer sides, the space enclosed by the posts and rail is filled with cleats 19, and at the ends., byr ropes 20. It will be observed that on the remaining side of the staging there is a central opening left through which a workman may enter when he climbs up the poile and between the inner ends of the side members of the main frame. This is when the parts are arranged as illustrated in Fig. l. When the staging is placed longitudinally of the main frame, as in Fig. 2, the central opening of the side just referred to llO may be closed by a rope, and the rope 2O removed from the end of the staging nearest the pole.

Sockets 25 are secured to the sides and ends of the staging at about the centers thereof for the reception of eye bolts 26 to which are pivot-ally connected the upper ends of staging props 27.

The lower ends of the main frame prop 12 and the staging props 27 are equipped with shoesBO having spurs 31 that are adapted to be driven into the pole, and a rope or cable 32 may then be lashed about the pole and over the shoes to secure them against dislodgement. v

Shown as having their inner ends pivotally connecte-d to the pins 4 through which the main frame side members 1 are hingedly connected toythe clamp jaws 5, are sway stays 35 that are adapted to have their outer ends fastened, as by lashings 36, to the overhanging ends of the staging.

All principal parts of the staging, the side members o-f the main frame, the props 12 and 27 and the sway stays 35 are constructed of an especially treated wood which, by' reason of its treatment., is impervious to moisture and wholly ineffective as a conductor of electricity.

. By way of emphasizing the insulating qualities of this especially treated wood, it may be related that in instances where the voltage to be dealt with is so high as to be grounded through the ordinary wooden pole and wooden cross arms, staging and insulating handles constructed of this especially treated wood have failed to conduct the current over a distance of a very few inches. While the insulated platform of my present invention thoroughly protects the workman against grounding elements and remote objects through which a circuit might be completed, it could not prevent his striking his arms or other parts of his body against adjacent objects representing other phases of the circuit, and to protect against such danger, I have provided a unique guard which constitutes the subject mat-ter of Patent No. 1,469,989, granted to me October 9, 1923, and entitled Linemans guard.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that my invention provides a platform or staging that may be applied to various sizes of poles in any of several adjusted positions, and which serves not only as a great convenience in electrical work but as an eectual factor of safety as well.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. A Aportable structure of the character set forth comprising a frame, means for detachably connecting the frame to a pole and for sustaining it in a substantially' horizontal position, a staging supported by the frame, and sustaining means attached direetly to the staging on opposite sides of the frame and adapted for connection to a part of the pole remote from where the aforesaid frame has connection with the pole.

2. A portable structure of the character set forth comprising a frame, means for detachably connecting the frame to a pole, a prop attached to the frame at a point spaced from the pole and adapted for connection toa part of the pole remote from where the frame has connection therewith, staging supported by the frame, and props interposed between the staging and the pole.

3. A portable structure of the character set forth comprising a frame, means for detachably connecting the frame to a pole, a prop attached to the frame at a. point spaced from the pole and adapted for connection to a part of the pole remote from where the frame has connection therewith, staging supported by the frame, props connected to t-he staging and adapted for attachment to the pole in the vicinity of the formel` props connection therewith, the props having spiked shoes engaging the pole and a lash embracing said shoes and the pole for securing the props to the pole.

4. A portable structure of the character set forth comprising a clamp for attachment to a pole, a fra-me having its inner end connected to the clamp, means for sustaining the frame in a substantially horizontal position, a staging supported by the frame, and sway stays connected to the clamp and adapted for attachment to the staging.

5. In a portable structure of the character set forth, the combination of a clamp comprising opposed jaws, means adjustably connecting together the corresponding ends of the opposed jaws, a frame constructed of side members pivotally connected together at their outer ends and having their respective inner ends pivotally connected to the respective jaws of the clamp, means for sustaining the frame in a substantially horizontal position when attached through the aforesaid clamp to a pole, and a staging for attachment to the frame.

6. A portable structure of the character set forth comprising a supporting frame adapted for attachment to a pole, a staging supported by the frame, and props interposed between the staging and pole and each having a connection with the staging that is capable. of universal movement.

7. A portable structure of the character set forth comprising a frame that is adapted to have one of its ends connected to a pole, a prop having connection with the opposite end of the frame, said connection being capable of universal movement, a staging supported by the frame, and props interposed between the staging and pole and each having a connection with the staging that is capable of a universal movement.

8. A linemans platform of the character set forth comprising a staging structure adapted for attachment to a pole, and a pair of props having eaoh a connection capable of universal movement with the strueture and arranged for engagement With the poleat points remote from Where said structure has connection therewith.

9. In combination, a prop, a shoe conneoted to the end of the prop for engagement with the side of a pole, a spur carried by the shoe that is adapted to be driven into the pole, and additional means for fastening said shoe to the pole.

l0. In combination, a prop, a shoe pivotally Conneeted to the end of the prop for engagement with the side of a pole, a spur oarried by the shoe that is adapted to be driven into the pole, and additional means for fastening said shoe to the pole.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto afx my signature.

I-IAZEL B. BUSH. 

